May 26/01 6:33 am - Track World Cup, l'Aude Report, Mt Tolmie Report

Posted by Editor on 05/26/01

UCI Track World Cup - Cali, Columbia

National coach/manager Kurt Innes is sending reports from the World Cup.

Day # 2, Session # 3

Erin Carter set a new personal best time in the women's 3000 metre Pursuit, finishing 6th overall. Erin's time of 3:44.640 was easily under her old best of 3:47. Fastest qualifier was Emma Davies (GBR) with a time of 3:38.127. Mandy Poitras competed out of competition, finishing with a 3:50.1.

We just finished speaking with Canadian team manager Jacques Landry, who was very pleased with the way the team worked today to protect the leader's jersey for Lyne Bessette. "We expected it to be a hard stage - there was lots of climbing - and our plan was to cover the moves and a have 1 rider in the breaks. It was good that Sandy (Espeseth) got in the break group of 8. She was able to sit in and not work too hard.

We wanted the break to stay at a comfortable cushion, and on the flat when it got too far Sue (Palmer Komar) went to the front in the headwind and set tempo to get the pace up. She did a great job, and was actually bringing the break back until I told her to ease off a bit.

Lyne's job was to just follow Pucinskaite and Arndt (the closest riders to her on classification), but Pucinskaite didn't do anything on the climbs. So either she is tired or holding off until tomorrow. But Lyne's legs are really good, so we are in good shape for tomorrow."

Reports From Mt Tolmie (B.C.)

We spoke with some of the riders after today's Mt Tolmie road race at the Bastion Square Cycling Festival in Victoria.

Trish Sinclair (6th, women) - "There was a break that formed when we got on the (Mt Tolmie) circuit. Alison (Sydor), Clare Hall-Patch, Darnelle Moore, Gina Grain, Marnie Prazkny and I got away and rode together pretty well to get a gap. I attacked on the last climb, and Alison got on my wheel, but wouldn't work. After the descent there was a long flat and since we were going to get caught we sat up. Then, Gina and I were talking, and no one was really paying attention so Alison attacked and caught us all off guard."

Roland Green (1st, men) - "There was a breakaway that had six and a half minutes as we entered the circuit. There was a group chasing, which gradually got cut down to Geoff (Kabush), Svein (Tuft) and myself. We caught the break with 3 laps to go - they were pretty disorganized and burnt out. On the last lap I attacked on the climb and got a gap; it's always better on your own then to take a chance in a sprint. Geoff took Svein in a sprint: 1-2 mountain bikers!"